New Mac User questions

Rio Lerma · Feb 1, 2007

I am a mac user at home and have decided to switch over to the duo core mac pro for my office where windows programs are the norm. I have ordered Parallels.
The question is, do i need to install win xp to use my windows programs. I am fed up with Microsoft and would like to avoid this at all costs but need the software to run my business. Any info is appreciated.

D3v1L80Y · Feb 1, 2007

Windows programs need Windows, plain and simple.
What programs do you need to run? There may be alternatives.

kman445 · Feb 1, 2007

i herd of a program that allows you to run the windows program without parrellels or anything, but i cant remember what it was called

D3v1L80Y · Feb 1, 2007

kman445 said:
i herd of a program that allows you to run the windows program without parrellels or anything, but i cant remember what it was called

You are probably thinking of Crossover. It is hardly worth mentioning. Most users have had minor to mediocre success with it at best.
If you really need Windows, then simply the best thing to do is run a Windows PC.

KoDorSean · Feb 1, 2007

D3v1L80Y said:
Windows programs need Windows, plain and simple.
What programs do you need to run? There may be alternatives.

wont virtual pc work to run windows programs?

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx?pid=virtualpc

D3v1L80Y · Feb 1, 2007

kodorsean said:
wont virtual pc work to run windows programs?

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx?pid=virtualpc

Virtual PC only works on PPC Macs. I use it on my PowerBook for the sole purpose of testing out websites I make with IE6.
It is extremely slow and not really useable for anything productive.

KoDorSean · Feb 1, 2007

D3v1L80Y said:
Virtual PC only works on PPC Macs. I use it on my PowerBook for the sole purpose of testing out websites I make with IE6.
It is extremely slow and not really useable for anything productive.

ah alright

walkerj · Feb 2, 2007

Codeweaver's Crossover Office is available for the Mac, but it's kind of redundant with the virtualization available with Paralells. It works very well on Linux, and I still use it to run Windows apps on Linux at work. With a current Intel Mac, however, it's just easier to use Parallels.

I use Parallels on my Mac when working from home (even though I have an employer supplied Dell Windows machine; it's just more convenient) and Codeweavers when at the office so I can use my Mac as a pure Mac. Having the choice, however, is quite worth it.